Obituary of Robert Hale

Honorable Robert J. Hale (April 28, 1921 - August 6, 2014). Robert Joseph Hale of Glastonbury, loving father of 4 and proud grandfather of 10 adoring grandchildren, passed away at home on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at age 93. Bob was a truly remarkable man and will be dearly missed. He was born on April 28, 1921, in Hartford, to Harry Lorin Hale and Mary Elizabeth (O'Connor) Hale. He attended Saint Augustine School and Bulkeley High School in Hartford (1939), Trinity College (1943), and the Yale Law School (1949). He also served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Judge Hale had a long and distinguished career. He was appointed Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court in 1977, after serving as the Deputy Prosecutor in the Glastonbury Town Court, Deputy Judge of the Glastonbury Town Court, and First Assistant Tax Commissioner of the State of Connecticut. He became a Senior Judge in 1989, and a Judge Trial Referee in 1991. He continued to hear cases and write opinions until 2012, at the age of 91. Beyond work, Bob dedicated his time to his community. He was a Charter Member of the Toastmasters Club of Manchester, a Vice President of the Exchange Club of Manchester, a Charter Member and First President of the Catholic Graduates Club of Greater Hartford, a President of the Orchard Hill Swim Club, a President of the Glastonbury Historical Society, a member of the Baldwin Yacht Club and North Cove Yacht Club, and a communicant of Saint Augustine's Church. The true joy of Bob's life was his wife of 64 years, Joyce Pendergast Hale. Together they traveled extensively, camping throughout the United States with their 4 children, Rob, Jonathan, Loren, and Tim. In their later years, they visited 6 of 7 continents and especially enjoyed "Messing About" in boats with dear friends. Bob always had a project, from watercolor painting to home improvements and furniture making. He had his grandchildren convinced that he was one of Santa's elves. Bob was pre-deceased by all of his siblings, Monsignor Harry Hale, Father Frank Hale, James Hale, and Marion O'Donnell, and by his beloved wife, Joy, and his sons, Jonathan Mark Hale and Timothy Britt Hale. He is survived by his son Robert Joseph Hale Jr., his daughter, Loren Elisabeth Hale Sutton and her husband, Samuel Sutton, and his daughter-in-law, Nancy Lynn Hale. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Cheryl O'Connor and her husband Brandon, Laura Belancik and her husband Benjamin, Sara Sutton, Nikki Sutton, Winston Hale, Nora Sutton, Jonathan Hale, Daniel Hale, Casey Hale and Christopher Hale, and by his great-grandson, Malachi Samuel Hooks. Visiting hours will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at Saint Augustine Church, 55 Hopewell Road, South Glastonbury. Burial will follow in St. Augustine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Connecticut Bar Foundation, 31 Pratt Street, Suite 420, Hartford, CT 06103, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.